FLINT, MI – A Flint Neighborhoods United forum at Mott
Community College Monday, Nov. 4, educated residents about creating safer
environments at party stores in the city.

Representatives from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission
and Michigan Licensed Beverage Association joined Flint and Michigan State Police and an assistant city attorney to answer questions from residents
involved in neighborhood groups and the general public at Monday night's forum.

Tanya Meeks, a Flint crime prevention officer, said the idea
to organize the meeting came from residents in neighborhood groups asking
questions about illegal activity associated with party stores, such as
loitering and robberies and sale of paraphernalia.

"We knew we had to have liquor control here, the beverage license
association ... the Department of Agriculture," Meeks said.

Meeks said party stores had arisen as a recurring
concern in talks with neighborhood groups.

"As we narrowed the list down of things that we wanted to
work on in our communities, party stores stayed on the list," she said. "Out of
the 50 (concerns on the list), it was party stores, communication and blight."

Mt. Morris resident Tamera Horton, 26, said information on
state law and city ordinances was beneficial to those in attendance, but that
it was ultimately up to residents to take the next step.

"They gave us a lot of info, and it is our job to follow up
and do what we are supposed to do to create a safe environment," said Horton, a
student at UM-Flint and an administrative assistant. "We, as the people, have
to take action."

Horton said she plans to help in her neighborhood by being
observant of illegal incidents at party stores and reporting to Meeks.

"We really have to do something about it," she said. "I hate
to see Flint go down."

Residents wrote questions to panel members, some relating to
laws stating some licensees must not be located within 500 feet of a church or
school, the sale of single cigarettes and how many liquor licenses are in
Flint.

Flint police say they have seized $12,000 in illegal
tobacco, made five minor alcohol purchases and made 15 single cigarette buys
this year at party stores in the city, which started from complaints of two
stores.

But Meeks cautioned that the forum is not meant to start a
battle with party stores.

"It's not that we want to fight, its just we want to better
our neighborhoods," she said. "Know what's going on in your neighborhood. If something
is not correct, say something."

A second forum for liquor licensees only will be held on Tuesday,
Nov. 12, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., where owners can meet with guest speakers to discuss
their primary concerns and find out how to have a better working relationship
with city officials and other community groups.